DMK's M Karunanidhi says Sri Lanka is far from granting powers to the Tamils as prescribed in the Lankan constitution. (File pic)
Chennai:
It's been a major victory for Tamil parties in Sri Lanka's war ravaged northern province. In elections held after 26 years in this Tamil majority region, the TNA or Tamil National Alliance won 30 of the 38 seats. A mandate that P Chidambaram, India's Finance Minister and MP from Tamil Nadu, said would go a long way in securing rights for the Tamil people.
"It's a splendid opportunity for a permanent solution based on the 13th amendment to the Sri Lanka constitution. I am confident that the TNA will be able to secure maximum autonomy for the provinces, devolution of powers to provinces, equal rights and equal respect for Tamils and the other minorities," Mr Chidambaram said in a statement.
But in Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai, former Chief Minister and DMK chief Karunanidhi was much more cautious. He said Sri Lanka was far from granting powers to the Tamils as prescribed in the Lankan constitution. The 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution was made after the 1987 Indo-Lankan agreement that was signed by former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayawardene. The veteran leader said "I have lots of confidence that the new government and the newly elected members will strive towards that".
Estimates say around 40,000 to one lakh Tamil civilians were killed in the war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army. The Lankan army is facing allegations of human rights violations and war crimes. Displaced Tamils also allege rehabilitation and rebuilding packages meant for them are largely diverted to the Sinhalese population, although the Lankan government denies these charges.
Most political parties in Tamil Nadu demand a separate homeland for Lankan Tamils. The least they want to begin with is devolution of powers.
The Congress-led UPA came under criticism for allegedly doing little to stop the war in Sri Lanka. The DMK, Congress' key ally in the south, had even snapped ties on the issue. But Mr Chidambaram argues that the victory of the TNA is a "vindication" of the policy adopted by the Congress party and the Central government.
"It's a splendid opportunity for a permanent solution based on the 13th amendment to the Sri Lanka constitution. I am confident that the TNA will be able to secure maximum autonomy for the provinces, devolution of powers to provinces, equal rights and equal respect for Tamils and the other minorities," Mr Chidambaram said in a statement.
But in Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai, former Chief Minister and DMK chief Karunanidhi was much more cautious. He said Sri Lanka was far from granting powers to the Tamils as prescribed in the Lankan constitution. The 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution was made after the 1987 Indo-Lankan agreement that was signed by former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayawardene. The veteran leader said "I have lots of confidence that the new government and the newly elected members will strive towards that".
Estimates say around 40,000 to one lakh Tamil civilians were killed in the war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army. The Lankan army is facing allegations of human rights violations and war crimes. Displaced Tamils also allege rehabilitation and rebuilding packages meant for them are largely diverted to the Sinhalese population, although the Lankan government denies these charges.
Most political parties in Tamil Nadu demand a separate homeland for Lankan Tamils. The least they want to begin with is devolution of powers.
The Congress-led UPA came under criticism for allegedly doing little to stop the war in Sri Lanka. The DMK, Congress' key ally in the south, had even snapped ties on the issue. But Mr Chidambaram argues that the victory of the TNA is a "vindication" of the policy adopted by the Congress party and the Central government.
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